Pebblefoot the baby elephant, sponsored by Swanage outdoor adventure company Cumulus and decorated by St Mark’s CE primary school pupils, is going on display as part of a Dorset art trail raising money for a hospice charity.
Stampede by the Sea features 50 large and small decorated elephants located across West Dorset, with Cumulus’s Pebblefoot on show at the historic Salt House in West Bay until Tuesday 27th May 2025.
The baby elephant was decorated with blue tissue paper clouds
Creative input from St Mark’s
The team at Cumulus loved the idea of sponsoring an elephant and turned to St Mark’s school students for creative input.
Once the original white sculpture was painted with a turquoise base coat, it was handed over to pupils from all year groups to decorate in January 2025.
Translucent tissue paper clouds in different shades of blue were applied using decoupage.
As a finishing touch, Pebblefoot – his name inspired by the rugged, stony paths of Purbeck – was provided with an orange cochlear implant, to raise awareness of the deaf and hard of hearing community.
According to Cumulus, this is to represent inclusion and embody determination and accomplishment by overcoming barriers in everyday life.
St Mark’s school children help with the design
Pebblefoot waiting for his glue to dry!
“Please do go and visit Pebblefoot”
Cumulus managing director Sam Thompson said:
“It was too good an opportunity to miss and it’s been a really fun project to get involved in. We hope it has helped boost the confidence of the St Mark’s students in their artistic abilities, creating something they should be very proud of.
“It’s also important to raise money and awareness for Weldmar Hospicecare, who provide specialist and end-of-life care for Dorset adults with a life limiting illness, as well as invaluable support for their loved ones.
“If anyone visits West Bay over the next few months please do go and visit Pebblefoot at the Salt House – we’d all love to see your photos!”
A follow up activity creating mini elephants out of milk bottles
Who knew plastic cartons could be turned into elephants?!
Forever home at Cumulus
After the end of the art trail, the elephants will be displayed at an event in Dorchester in mid-June, after which the large elephants designed by artists and sponsored by local business, will be sold off by auction to raise funds.
All the baby elephants decorated by local schools will be returned to their sponsors.
Pebblefoot will go to his forever home at Cumulus and become part of a mindfulness and reflection area at its outdoors residential centre on Cobbler’s Lane.
Hands on creativity at St Mark’s
Further information
- More about the art trail Stampede by the Sea
- More about Cumulus and St Mark’s CE primary school
- What Weldmar Hospicecare does
